7-Overcoming Fear
2/26/12
Intro:
I.2 Timothy 1:7
II.WORKERS GIVING CREDIT TO THE WITCH AT THE CRUSADE
Body:
I.A Spirit of Power
A.Fear causes us to run in the face of adversity
1)Grk (deilia) cowardice, prone to dread, faithlessness
2)Revelation 21:8
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile . . . their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
3)CAPTAIN SCHETTINO ABANDONING HIS SHIP
Everyone was afraid, not everyone ran
B.Faithin God empowers us to overcome our fear
1)EVERY SOLDIER ON THE BATTLEFIELD IS AFRAID
2)Mark 4:40-41
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
3)OVERCOMING MY FEAR OF SHARKS TO DIVE IN THE OCEAN
II.A Spirit of Love
A.Fear seeks to control us, love seeks to set us free
1)PENN GILLETTE TELLING ME TO GIVE UP
2)1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
3)USING SPIRITUAL MANIPULATION TO CONTROL PEOPLE
a)Different between discipleship and witchcraft
b)Difference between prophecy and fortune telling
c)One seeks to control someone with fear
The other seek to set someone free with love
B.It if comes from fear, we can be assured it is not from God
1)IRAN THREATENING TO BUILD AND ATOMIC BOMB
When your side is outmatched the only weapon you have is fear
2)Hebrews 2:14-15
He too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
3)JERRY SANFORD—IF IT IS FEAR, DO NOT LISTEN TO IT
III.A Spirit of Self-Discipline
A.Too many people still live under the bondage of superstition
1)1 Timothy 4:7
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.
2)Grk (gumnazo) train, exercise, discipline (gymnasium)
3)“WIVES TALES” USE FEAR TO CONTROL BEHAVIOR
a)Swallow gum will stay in your stomach 7 years
b)Make a face at your sister and it will stick like that
c)Eating without praying first will make you sick
d)Sit too close to the T.V. and you will go blind
e)Step on a crack, break your mama’s back
f)Gossip about the pastor and it will make you constipated
B.The Holy Spirit empowers us to take control of our hearts and minds
1)Grk (sofronismos) sound mind, discipline, self-control
2)1 John 4:4-5
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
3)KAPIOLANI THROWING THE BERRYS INTO KILAUEA
“None but the terrible Peelè remaining as Kapiolani; Ascended her mountain,Baffled her priesthood,Broke the Taboo,Dipt to the crater,Called on the Power adored by the Christian and crying, ‘I dare her, let Peelè avenge herself!’ Into the flame-billows dashed the berries, and drove the demon from Hawa-i-ee.”—Tennyson
Other Scriptures:
Proverbs 28:1
The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 Corinthians 13:10
The authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
1 Peter 5:8-9
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.